GCSE chemistry teacher in London with 6 years' experience in the classroom!

Find out more about Chelsea

• When did you develop an interest in your chosen field and in private tutoring?

  I developed an interest in science (particularly chemistry and biology) from a young age but it was really after secondary school, when I started my science degree, that my interest in chemistry and biology peaked. When I became a teacher 5 years ago, I noticed how much certain students benefited from 1:1 academic interventions. This is what caused me to begin private tutoring.

• Tell us more about the subject you teach, the topics you like to discuss with students (and possibly those you like a little less).

  I teach both chemistry and biology to secondary school students. I really enjoy teaching most of the topics in the biology and chemistry AQA GCSE specification. I specifically enjoy the lessons in the topics that allow my students to do experiments in class!

• Did you have any role models; a teacher that inspired you?

  I was definitely inspired by my professor at university who specialised in organic chemistry - she was brilliant at explaining difficult concepts and was patient with all of her students.

• What do you think are the qualities required to be a good tutor?

  PATIENCE - good tutors need to be willing and ready to explain concepts as many times as it takes for a student to understand them.
  ORGANISATION - good tutors need to be on the ball with organising lessons and should then prepare for and be on time for lessons

• Provide a valuable anecdote related to your subject or your days at school.

  At one of the school's I worked at, I entered a group of students into a sustainability project. This project was a competition with many other schools in the area, it involved developing a 3D model of a sustainable factory as well as compiling a written report. There were many rounds of this competition and it really pushed these students out of their comfort zones. It was a long haul but in the end, we won! It was a very rewarding experience for us all.

• What were the difficulties or challenges you faced or are still facing in your subject?

  I always struggle a little bit with dissections in biology! I'm just a squeamish person!

• Do you have a particular passion? Is it teaching in general or an element of the subject or something completely different?

  I'm very passionate about cosmetic chemistry, I run a cosmetics club at school where we learn about the chemistry of cosmetics and make our own DIY products!

• What makes you a Superprof (besides answering these interview questions :-P) ?

  I think what makes me a superprof is that I teach so many students every single day, this means that every day I get more and more practise at how to best pass on knowledge to young people.